{"id":51656,"date":"2020-04-02T00:00:17","date_gmt":"2020-04-02T07:00:17","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/world.edu\/?p=51656"},"modified":"2020-04-01T13:56:55","modified_gmt":"2020-04-01T20:56:55","slug":"playing-video-games-can-ease-loneliness-during-the-coronavirus-pandemic","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/world.edu\/playing-video-games-can-ease-loneliness-during-the-coronavirus-pandemic\/","title":{"rendered":"Playing video games can ease loneliness during the coronavirus pandemic"},"content":{"rendered":"

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As communities across the globe are urged to stay indoors and practice physical distancing measures, feelings of isolation and loneliness are likely to become more prevalent. To combat the potential social and psychological impacts of physical distancing, many people are turning to video games.<\/p>\n

Video games were once widely perceived as\u00a0inherently anti-social<\/a>. However, the World Health Organization,\u00a0which has warned about the risks of too much gaming<\/a>,\u00a0recently launched #PlayApartTogether<\/a>, partnering with major gaming studios to encourage people to stay home.<\/p>\n

Even without the presence of a global pandemic,\u00a0the video game market is staggering in size<\/a>, far exceeding the film and music industries. People play video games for many reasons, including relaxation, escapism and (of course) fun, but they also provide spaces for people to get together and stay connected. This is especially important now, when people may be feeling increasingly isolated, lonely and anxious.<\/p>\n

As instructors and researchers of video games and video game design, we contacted several game industry insiders and scholars to provide some insight into gaming during times of physical isolation.<\/p>\n

Gaming connections and benefits<\/strong><\/h4>\n

Video games have a number of social and psychological benefits. People who play massively multiplayer online games, for example,\u00a0report a stronger sense of social identity, higher levels of self-esteem and decreased feelings of loneliness<\/a>. These games often encourage or require players to work together towards a goal, which can\u00a0foster a sense of community and camaraderie<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Most online games have in-game chat, either by voice or through text, and so online spaces can be convenient avenues for\u00a0communicating and staying in touch<\/a>.<\/p>\n

In addition to playing with people from around the world, video games provide spaces where friends and families can meet virtually. Games like Nintendo\u2019s recently released\u00a0Animal Crossing: New Horizons<\/em>, allow players to\u00a0meet, socialize and complete in-game tasks together<\/a>\u00a0on a virtual island. Many games allow players to create private servers, where only invited users are allowed to participate. This allows friends and family to pre-arrange a time to play and meet.
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